Vacuum steam-engine.



G. OOMSTOGK.

VACUUM STEAM ENGINE. APPLIOATION FILED JAN. 2, 1907. RENEWED MAY 1a,1010.

Patented Dec, 27, 1910.

4; SHEETS-SHEET 0. GOMSTQGK. VACUUM STEAM ENGINE.

APPLICATION FILED JAILZ, 1907. RENEWED MAY 18, 1910. 79 435 Patentd Dec.27, 1910.

4 SHEETS-SHEET Tn: nouns PETERS can, wasmuurou. n. c.

0. GOMSTOGK.

VACUUM STEAM ENGINE.

AEPLIOATION FILED JAN. 2, 1907. RENEWED MAY 16, 1910.

$279,435, Patented 'Dec 27, 1910.

THE MORRIS Psrzns ca. \VASH'NGTON, a c.

atmnug I 0. COMSTOCK.

VAGUUM STEAM ENGINE.

APPLICATION FILED JAN. 2, 1907. RENEWED MAY 16, 1910.

9?9,435 Patented Dec. 27, 1910.

(SHEETS-SHEET 4.

UNTTE TA CHARLES COMSTOCK, OF WEST STOCKBRIDGE, MASSACHUSETTS.

VACUUM STEAM-ENGINE.

Application filed January 2, 1907, Serial No. 350,383.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that 1, CHARLES GOMSTOCK, a citizen of the United States,residing at West Stockbridge, in the county of Berkshire and State ofMassachusetts, have in vented certain new and useful Improvements inVacuum Steam-Engines, of which the following is a specification,reference being had therein to the accompanying drawing.

My invention relates to improvements in vacuum steam engines.

The object of my invention is to provide an engine of this character, inwhich a vacuum pump is in direct communication with the engine cylinderfor causing a vacuum to be working on the piston or pistonssimultaneously with the steam, whereby the power of the engine isgreatly increased.

Another object of my invention is to so provide and arrange the engineand vacuum,

that the steam supply of the engine enters a portion or chamber of thecylinder having already a complete vacuum and thus causing a kineticinrush of steam into a vacuum and obtaining a great cyclonic explosiontherein, causing a more powerful action of the steam against the piston.

Another object of my invention is to provide a simple, cheap andeffective engine in which the vacuum pump is driven directly by theengine, and in which a much greater power is obtained thereby.

In the accompanying drawings, Figure 1 is a perspective view of myimproved engine, showing the vacuum pump close to and coupled directlyto the engine. Fig. 2, is a vertical transverse sectional view takenthrough the live steam chamber of the cylinder. Fig. 3, is alongitudinal vertical sectional view of the engine. Fig. 4, is a planview of Fig. 1 showing the engine cylinder partly broken away. Fig. 5,is a top plan View of a reciprocating engine, showing a vacuum pumpcoupled thereto and embodying my invention. Fig. 6, is an end view ofFig. 5. Fig. 7, is a vertical sectional view of the cylinder similar tothat shown in Fig. 2, the rotary abutment being omitted.

Referring now to the drawings, 1 represents an elongated broad flat basehaving cast therewith, or otherwise secured thereto the engine cylinder2 which, as shown, is of an elongated form, and divided by divisions 3and 4 into three separate cylinders. First, reading from left to right,Fig. 3 is the live steam chamber 5 which is of a narrow form,

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Dec. 2'7, 1910.

Renewed May 16, 1910. Serial No. 561,722.

as will be hereinafter more fully described. The next chamber ofcylinder 6 is of a width considerably larger than the live steamcylinder, as it is to receive the exhaust steam from the live steamcylinder. The third and last cylinder 7 is considerably larger than thecylinder or about equal in area to the cylinders 5 and 6, this beingnecessary as it receives the exhaust from the cylinder 6, and this steamhaving been twice expanded requires a much larger area. The ends of thecylinder 2 are closed by removable cylinder heads 8 and 9 which arebolted or otherwise removably fastened thereon.

lVithin the three cylinders or chambers 5, 6 and 7 are three pistons 10,11 and 12 which are made of a size to snugly fit the divisions orpartitions and cylinder heads, and a packing is either carried by thepistons or by the divisions and cylinder heads, so as to form a tightjoint therewith to prevent the steam from leaking inwardly toward theshaft. The said pistons are all carried by a shaft 13 which is mountedin roller bearings 14 carried by the cylinder heads 8 and 9, and saidshaft extends through the divisions of the cylinder. The pistons arekeyed upon the shaft 13 in any well known manner, and said pistons areof a solid form 15 smaller in diameter than the bore of the cylinder, asshown. Said solid portions are provided at equal distances apart withfour radially extending piston heads 16 which extend out and engage theinner periphery of the cylinder. While I have shown and described fourpiston heads, it will be understood that any desired number of heads maybe used. The outer ends and sides of the piston heads are preferablyprovided with a packing to form a tight joint with the inner peripheryof the cylinder to prevent the leakage of the steam and vacuumtherearound.

Extending the entire length of the cylinder at its upper end is asemi-circular housing 17 which is cast with the cylinder and has itslower end in communication with the cylinder, and the cylinder heads 8and 9 close the outer ends of said housing. The partitions or divisions3 and 4t extend upward, as indicated at 18 and 19 within the housing,and form the three abutment chambers 20, 21 and 22 which, as shown inFig. 3 are of a length to correspond with the piston in communicationtherewith. Extending longitudinally through the housing 17 is a shaft 23which is journaled in the cylinder heads, and

the divisions. The said shaft extends outwardly at each end beyond thecylinder heads, and carried by said shaft within the chambers 20, 21 and22 are the abutments 24; which correspond tothe chambers. Said abutmentsare each formed of four blades 25 which extend radially from the shaft.The said abutments are of a length to snugly fit the inner periphery ofthe housing, and the outer periphery of the solid portion of the piston,and forms an abutment against which the steam abuts for giving theproper resistance in one direction to the steam, while the steam in theopposite direction engages One .0f the piston heads. The shaft 23 atboth ends extends beyond the cylinder heads 8 and 9 and has rigidlysecured thereto at each end the ratchet wheels 25 and 26, which havetheir teeth disposed in opposite directions. Carried by the outer faceof the cylinder heads 8 and 9 adjacent the ratchet teeth are two pawls27 and 28 which are pivoted at such a point that either pawl may bethrown in engagement with its respective ratchet, and thus the abutmentshaft may be positively held against rotation in either directionaccording to the direction the engine is rotating. The pawl 27 engagesthe inner ratchet wheel 25 while the pawl 28 engages or is adapted toengage the outer ratchet wheel. The piston heads 10 during the rotationthereof engage the abutments and cause the same to turn and allow thepiston head to pass the same, and the next blade of the abutment assumesa vertical position and forms the abutment while the steam is workingupon the head which has just passed the abutment. lVhen the pawl 27 isin engagement with the ratchet 26, as shown in Fig. 1, the piston 15 isrotating in the direction indicated by the arrow in Fig. 2, and theabutment is rotating in the opposite direction, as also indicated byarrow in said figure. The pawl 27 holds the abutment against rotation inthe opposite direction, as indicated, caused by the pressure of thesteam thereon, and thus forms a permanent part of the cylinder, andserves as an abutment against which the steam exerts its driving force.

The shaft 13 on the outside of the cylinder heads 3 and 9 is providedwith a sprocket wheel 29 which is rigidly keyed upon the shaft as willbe hereinafter more fully described. The said shaft on the outside ofthe sprocket wheel is provided with ratchet wheels 30 and 31 which arekeyed upon the shaft and have their teeth disposed in oppositedirections. Pivotally carried hy the base on each side of a pointdirectly below'the shaft, are pawls 32- and which are so positioned thatthey will engage respectively the ratchets 30 and 31 and thus when thepiston is rotating in the direction indicated by arrow, Figs. '1 and 2,

the pawl 32 is engaging the 'atchet 30 and the piston is held againstrotation in the pposite direction, so that it will be always rotated inthe same direction until the pawls are changed, and the steam admittedfrom the opposite side, as will be hereinafter more fully described.Located close to the said cylinder is a pump base 3% upon which mounteda pump cylinder 35, which, as shown, is of a rotary type, although I donotcare to limit myself to a rotary pump, as other forms of pumps may beused provided they are close to and connected directly to the enginecylinder. The shaft 36 of the pump is in a line with the sprocket 29,which is considerably larger than the sprocket wheel 37 of the pumpshaft, and passing over the sprocket wheel is a chain 33, and by meansof which the pump shaft is rotated very rapidly and creates a vacuum aswill be hereinafter fully described.

The cylinder 2 on opposite sides of the abutment housing 17 is providedwith steam supply pipes 39 and 6L0 which communicate therewith, andthrough which the live steam passes to the cylinder 6 of the engine. Thesaid pipes 39 and 40 have connected thereto the vacuum pipes 41 and 42,and at the uncture of the pipes a0 and a2, and the pipes 39 and 41 arecocks 43 and 4L3 which have a passage 44 therethrough which is adaptedto communicate with either the steam or vacuum when the cylinder may besupplied with either. The said passage is so located that the same canbe turned across the pipe so that both the vacuum and the steam can beout OK. Between the point of juncture of the steam and vacuum pipes andthe cylinder there are pipes a5 and 46 which are provided with cocks a7for the purpose hereinafter fully described. Two steam inlet and vacuumports are provided one on each side of the abutments so that the enginemay be reversed, all of which will be hereinafter more fully described.The vacuum pipe 42 leads horizontally outwardly, as shown at 42, andacross the upper end of the pump 35, and has an open end 42 which isopen to the atmosphere for discharging the steam, water, etc., drawnfrom the cylinder. Connected to said pipe is a. pipe 42 which isconnected to the pump The said pump is divided into two compartments ofequal size and are numbered 44 and 45. On each side of the pipe as thepipe 42 is provided with check valves 46' and L7, both of which swingoutward toward the open end 42 of the pipe. The pipe &2 has a branchpipe 43 leading to the second cylinder as shown. Connected to said pipe48 is the exhaust pipe 49 of the first cylinder, and at the juncture ofsaid pipes 48 and a9 is a twoway cock 50 constructed and arranged inprecisely the same manner as the cocks t3 and 43, whereby either steamor vacuum may be communicated with the cylinder. An air inlet pipe 51 isconnected thereto adjacent the cylinder, and provided with cook 52 forclosing or opening the same.

The exhaust pipe l?) of the cylinder is connected to the cylinder adistance from the steam supply equal to the distance between the pistonheads, so that as one piston head is passing the steam and the steam isbeing admitted, the piston head in advance thereof has just commenced topass the exhaust, whereby the chamber between the two piston heads isbeing exhausted. The said exhaust pipe is provided with an outwardlyswinging valve 53 which allows of the free escape of the exhaust steam.Adjacent said pipe 4E9 is a vacuum pipe 54 which, when the piston headhas passed it, the vacuum commences to work upon the piston heads, andthe flap valve 53 is automatically closed, and a pulling action istaking effect upon the opposite side of the head to that being actedupon by the steam. Connected to said vacuum is an air intake pipe 56 anda twoway valve 57 controls the pipes 5 and 56, so that a vacuum isworking or the engine is taking air, as will be hereinafter more fullydescribed. he pipe 54: leads outwardly at 58 and upwardly at 59, andconnected to the pipe 42 leading and connected to the vacuum pump.

The pipe 58 has connected thereto a pipe 59 which leads around the sideof the cylinder, and extends upward at n, and is connected to the steamsupply pipe 39. At the connection of the vacuum pipes a1 and 39 is thetwo-way cock 4:3, heretofore described, whereby either steam or vacuumis admitted according to the direction it is desired to run the engine.

Connected to the pipe between the cock 43. and cylinder is an air intakepipe 4:55 which is provided with a cock 47 by means of which the pipe isopened or closed, all of which will be hereinafter more fully describedin the operation of the engine.

Leading from the pipe 59 is a pipe 62 which is connected to the cylinder5 at 63, and connected to said pipe 62 is an air intake pipe 64-, and atthe juncture of the pipes 64 and 63 is a two-way cock 65 being the sameas the two-way cocks heretofore described for opening either the vacuumor the air pipes, or for closing the same.

The pipe 58 has connected thereto a vacuum pipe 66 which connects to thecylinder 6 at 67, and is provided with an air intake pipe 68, and atwo-way valve or cock 69, the same as heretofore described. Connected tosaid cylinder 6 is an exhaust pipe 70 which is provided with anautomatic closing valve operating the same as the valve 53, and saidexhaust leads upwardly at 71 and is connectedv to the third cylinder 7and forms the steam supply therefor. Connected to the said pipe 71 is avacuum pipe 7 2 and at the juncture of said pipe 72 is a two-way cock asheretofore described. The vacuum pipe 7 2 leads over the top of the pumpcylinder 35 and has an open end 7 3. Connected to said pipe 72 is adown-pipe 74; which has its lower end connected to the pump cylinder.The pipe 72 on each side of the pipe 74 is provided withoutwardly-opening valves 75 and 76 which operate the same as the valvein the pipe 42.

The pipe and arrangement of the exhausts and vacuum bring the same onthe opposite side of the cylinder for reversing the engine.

From the drawings, it will be seen that the two cylinders 5 and 6 areconnected to the left hand half of the pump cylinder, while the cylinder7 is connected to the right hand half, this being necessary as the areasof the two cylinders 5 and 6 are approximately that of the cylinder 7,and this is necessary in order to get the same amount of vacuum in eachand all of the cylinders.

From the foregoing description it will be seen that when the engine isrunning in the direction indicated by arrow in Fig. 2, the valve 43 isopened so that steam is entering on the right of the abutment, and thesteam is working against the piston head D. The ratchets on the abutmentand engine shaft are set as shown in Fig. 1, so that the piston and theabutment cannot rotate in any other direction than that indicated byarrow in Fig. 2. The space between the-piston heads D and C isexhausting and the second cylinder is taking steam at the same time ascylinder 5. The valve 43 is so set that vacuum is working on A as soonas it has passed the said air port .33,

and therefore having a pulling action upon l the piston A. The valve 65is so set that the space between the pistons C and D is taking air andthe same being avacuum space, the air rushes inwardly and forces thepiston head D around. The valve 43 is set so that a vacuum is workingbetween the piston head D and the rotary abutment, so that as the spacebetween piston A and the abutment is opened to steam, the steam rushesinto the vacuum space with kinetic power and forces the piston aroundwith greatly increased power, the same as the air does through the valve65.

hen it is desired to reverse the engine, the pawl 32 is thrown out ofengagement with the ratchet 30, and the pawl 33 is thrown in engagementwith the ratchet 31. The pawls 27 and 28 are like-wise reversed, andthus the rotation of the abutment and piston is just the opposite ofthat shown in Fig. 2. The valve43 is turned so that steam is enteringthe space between the rotary abutment, and the piston head D. The valveis so turned that a vacuum is working between the heads D and C, the airinlet is taking air between A and B. so turned that a vacuum is workingon the piston head A between it and the abutment, the operation beingthe same as described when running in the opposite direction. By thisconstruction and arrangement of the piston heads and ports, it will beseen that at all times, when running in either direc tion, one pistonhead is being acted upon on one side by steam and on the opposite sideby a vacuum, another piston head is being acted upon by the kineticinrush of air and the same piston head on the opposite side is beingacted upon by a vacuum, and thus preparing the chamber between the headsA and D with a vacuum for aiding in rotating the piston and also forhaving a vacuum into which an inrush of steam, gains a greater powerthan would the inrush of steam into a chamber with atmospheric pressure.

In the form shown in Fig. 4, I have shown my invention as applied to areciprocating engine, and in which 77 represents the cylinder having theusual steam chest 7 8 applied thereto, and the piston 79 and piston rod80.

Connected by a link 81 to a crank 82 carried by the shaft 83. Adjacenttosaid cylinder is a pump 81 which shaft has a sprocket S5, and the shaft83 carrying a sprocket 86, and passing around said sprocket is a chain87 which is adapted to rotate the pump very rapidly, as will be seen bythe proportional size of the sprocket wheels.

Connected to opposite sides of the pump are two pipes 88 and 89 whichare connected to opposite ends of the cylinder 77, and said pipesintermediate the pump and cylinder are provided with cocks 90 and 91which are provided with inwardly-extending operating levers 93 and 91-.Mounted between said pipes and between the pump and the engine, is ashaft 95 carrying a cam 96 which is provided with a groove 97 which isso arranged and timed that the valve 90 is closed when the piston is inthe position indicated in dotted lines, and the valve 91 is openedallowing the vacuum to work upon the piston on the opposite side fromthe steam, and when the piston has reached the opposite end of thecylinder the valve 90 is opened and the valve 91 is closed. The shaft 95carries a sprocket 96 and the shaft 83 also carries a sprocket 97 overwhich a chain 98 passes, and whereby the cam 90 is turned with theengine. The steam chest 99 is provided with the usual steam supply 100and exhaust 101. The exhaust pipe 101 is provided with an automaticallyclosing flap valve 102 for closing when the vacuum is working, as shownin F ig.

In the form shown in Fig. I dispense with the abutment, the pistonheads, the exhaust inlets, and vacuum ports, all being arrangedprecisely like that shown in Fig. 2. The pawl and ratchet, as shown indotted The valve 43 is lines, prevents the pistonfrom rotating but inthe determined direction, and the steam rushing into vacuum with kineticforce causes an explosion which will rotate the piston, the operationbeing well understood from the operation as described in respect to theform shown in Figs. 1 to 3 inclusive, like numerals indicating likeparts. In this form I propose to use but a single cylinder or chamberpump. From my description of Fig. 7, also Figs. 1 to 3 inclusive, itwill be understood that I might dispense with the steam supply and Ihave therefore shown the air intake ports. In such instances, the chain38 can be removed and an independent engine coupled to the pump 35 forrapidly rotating the same. In such case, when the engine is running inthe direction indicated by arrows, Fig. 2, the valve &3 is entirely outoff, and the cock in the air intake is opened so that the kinetic inrushof air into vacuum will rotate the piston together with the vacuum andgain great power. To reverse the engine, the valve 43 is closed entirelyand the valve in the air intake is opened, and the remaining valves setas described in respect to Fig. 2 when reversing.

Referring to Figs. 1 to at inclusive, the pipe 72 has connected theretoon the inside of the valve a downwardly-extending pipe 102 which isconnected to the cylinder 7 below the exhaust 103, the said exhaustopening into the atmosphere and having a flap valve the same as shown inthe other exhausts. The pipe 102 has connected thereto an air-intake104: and at the juncture of said pipes 101 and 102 is a two-way valve105 like the ones heretofore described. The pipe 102 on the outside ofthe valve 105 has connected thereto a'pipe 106 which leads around thecylinder and is connected to the pipe. The pipes being arranged in thesame manner as the pipes shown in Fig. 2 in respect to the cylinder 5,and by means of which the vacuum is created at the proper places in thecylinder 7.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim and desire to secure byLetters Patent, is

1. A vacuum engine comprising a cylinder, a. piston therein, thecylinder having a steam inlet port located at one side of the piston, avacuum port located at the opposite side of the piston, a vacuum pumpdirectly connected with said vacuum port, and an exhaust portindependent of said vacuum pump.

2. The combination with a steam engine comprising a cylinder iavinginlet and exhaust ports and a piston therein, of a vacuum pumpindependent of said ports and directly connected with the cylinder toform a vacuum therein at one side of the piston.

3. A vacuum engine comprising a cylinder having inlet and exhaust ports,a piston therein, and a pump in direct communica tion with the cylinderindependent of said ports, for creating a vacuum within the cylinder infront and in rear of the piston.

4:. The combination with a steam engine comprising a cylinder havinginlet and exhaust ports and a piston therein, of a vacuum pumpindependent of said ports and directly connected with the cylinder andadapted to create a vacuum therein after the usual exhaust of the steamtherefrom.

The combination with a steam engine comprising a cylinder having inletand ex haust ports and a piston, of a vacuum pump driven by the engineand directly connected with the engine cylinder independent of saidports to create a vacuum therein at one side of the piston.

(3. A vacuum engine comprising a cylin-' der having inlet and exhaustports, a piston therein, a vacuum pump adjacent the cylinder, a pipeconnection between said pump and cylinder independent of said ports, andmeans operated by the piston for operating the pump.

7. A vacuum engine comprising a cylinder having steam inlet and exhaustports, a piston therein, a vacuum pump in communication with thecylinder independent of said ports, and means operated by the piston foroperating the pump.

8. A vacuum engine comprising a cylinder having inlet and exhaust ports,a piston therein, a vacuum pump in communication with the cylinderindependent of the ports, and means operated directly by the piston foroperating the pump.

9. A vacuum pump comprising a cylinder having inlet and exhaust ports, apiston therein, a rotary vacuum pump in communication with the cylinderindependent of said ports, and means operated directly by the piston foroperating the pump.

10. A rotary vacuum engine, comprising a cylinder, a piston therein, arotary reversible abutment operated by the piston, and a pawl forpreventing the abutment from rotating in but one direction and holdingit against the pressure of the steam.

11. A rotary vacuum engine, comprising a cylinder, a piston therein, arotary reversible abutment operated by the piston, and pawls forallowing the piston to rotate in either direction, but preventing itrotating in the opposite direction caused by the pressure of the steamagainst the same.

12. A rotary vacuum engine, comprising a cylinder, a piston therein, apiston shaft eX- tending through the cylinder, two ratchets carried bythe shaft and having their teeth arranged in opposite directions, pawlsfor engaging the ratchets, whereby either pawl can be thrown inengagement with the ratchet, whereby the piston is prevented fromrotating in but one direction.

13. A rotary vacuum engine, comprising a cylinder, a piston therein, asteam supply therefor, an air intake, a vacuum, and an exhaust, allcooperating automatically.

14. A rotary vacuum engine, comprising a cylinder, a piston therein, arotary reversible abutment operated by the piston, a steam supply, anair intake, a vacuum, and exhaust, all cooperating automatically withthe piston.

15. A rotary vacuum engine, comprising a cylinder, a piston therein,piston heads carried by the piston, a rotary abutment operated directlyby the piston heads, said cylinder having steam, air inlet, vacuum andexhaust ports, all coiiperating automatically with the piston.

16. A rotary vacuum engine, comprising a cylinder, a piston therein,piston heads carried by the piston, a rotary reversible abutmentoperated directly by the piston heads, said cylinder having a steamsupply for the cylinder, an air intake pipe in communication with thecylinder, a vacuum pipe in communication with the cylinder, meansoperated directly by the engine for creating a vacuum in said pipe, anexhaust pipe in communication with the cylinder, and an outwardlyswinging flap valve within said pipe and opened by the exhaust andclosed by the vacuum.

17. A rotaryvacuum engine, comprising a cylinder, a piston therein,piston heads carried by the piston, a rotary reversible abutmentoperated by the piston, said cylinder having arranged on each side asteam supply, an air intake, a vacuum and an exhaust all cooperatingautomatically with the piston.

18. A rotary vacuum engine, comprising a cylinder divided intocompartments of different dimensions, a steam supply for the smallcompartment, the exhaust of said compartment forming the supply for theadj oining cylinder, a shaft extending through the several cylinders,pistons keyed upon the shaft, a sprocket wheel carried by the shaft, arotary vacuum pump in communication with each of said compartments, asprocket wheel carried by the shaft of said pump, and a chain passingaround the two sprocket wheels whereby the pump is driven directly bythe engine and a vacuum is created in each compartment.

19. A rotary vacuum engine, comprising a cylinder, a rotary pistontherein, piston heads carried by the pistons, a combined steam andvacuum port on each side of the cylinder, a two-way cock controllingsaid port whereby the steam or vacuum may be admitted to either side ofthe cylinder for reversing the structure.

- independent of said ports to form a vacuum chamber in which the steamis admitted, and means for driving the pump directly by the engineshaft.

21. A vacuum engine, comprising a cylinder, a piston therein, a vacuumpump in communication therewith and driven directly by the engine forforming a vacuum in advance of the piston and in rear of the pistonsimultaneously.

22. A vacuum engine, comprising a cylinder, a piston therein, a vacuumpump in communication therewith, and driven directly by the engine forforming a vacuum in advance of the piston and in rear of the pistonpreparing the steam chamber with a vacuum immediately before theadmission of the steam.

:23. A rotary vacuum steam engine, comprising a cylinder, a rotarypiston therein, piston heads carried by the piston, a vacuum pump incommunication with opposite sides of the cylinder for pumping all steamcondensation etc. from between the pistons directly in advance of thesteam actuated piston head and also for creating a vacuum between thepiston heads immediately before the admission of steam thereto.

Eat. A vacuum engine, comprising a cylinder, a piston therein, a vacuumpump adjacent the cylinder, a pipe in communication with the cylinderand extending over the pump and having an open end, a branch pipecommunicating with the pump, and an outwardly swinging valve on eachside of the branch pipe.

A vacuum engine, comprising a cylinder, a piston therein, a vacuum pumpadjacent the cylinder, and means carried by the engine for operating thepump, a pipe in communication with the cylinder and extending over thepump and having an open end, a branch pipe connected thereto and incommunication with the pump, andan out- 'ardly swinging valve on eachside of the branch pipe' 26. A vacuum engine, comprising a cylinder, apiston therein. a rotary vacuum pump adjacent the cylinder. meansoperated by the engine for rotating the pump, a pipe in communicationwith the cylinder and extending over the pump and having an open end, abranch pipe connected thereto and in communication with the pump, and anoutwardly-swinging valve within said pipe on each side of the branchpipe.

27. A rotary engine, comprising a cylinder, a rotary piston therein,piston heads carried by the piston, a rotary abutment operated by thepiston, a combined steam and vacuum port connected to the cylinder oneach side of the abutment, means for admitting either steam or vacuum tothe cylinder 011 either side of the abutment, an exhaust port located adistance from the steam inlet equal to the distance between the pistonheads, and a vacuum port connected to the cylinder below the exhaust anda vacuum pump proper piped to the vacuum ports and driven directly bythe engine.

28. A rotary vacuum engine, comprising a cylinder, a rotary pistontherein, piston heads carried by the cylinder, two ratchets carried bythe piston shaft on the outside of the cylinder and having their teethdisposed in opposite directions, pawls for engaging said ratchets, arotary abutment operated by the piston heads, and having its endsextending beyond the cylinder, two ratchets carried by the shaft andhaving their teeth disposed in opposite directions, and pawls forengaging said ratchets, whereby the piston and abutment may be lockedagainst rotation in either direction.

29. A rotary vacuum engine, comprising a cylinder, a rotary pistontherein, piston heads carried by the piston, a rotary abut ment operatedby the heads, a. combined steam inlet and vacuum pipe in communicationwith the cylinder, on each side of the abutment, a two-way valvecontrolling said steam and vacuum ports, whereby either steam or vacuummay be admitted to the cylinder or both cut oil? entirely, exhaust portsin communication with the cylinder a distance from the steam inletsequal to the distance between the piston heads, and combined air andvacuum ports below the ex hausts, and two valves controlling the air andvacuum ports whereby either the air or vacuum ports may be opened orclosed or both closed, and a vacuum pump connected to the several vacuumports and driven directly by the engine.

30. A rotary vacuum engine, comprising a cylinder, a rotary pistontherein, piston heads carried by the piston, a rotary abutment havinglegs equal in number to the piston heads, and operated by the heads, acombined steam inlet and vacuum pipe in communication with the cylinderon each side of the abutment, a two-way valve controlling said steam andvacuum ports whereby either steam or vacuum may be admitted to thecylinder or both cut off, air inlet pipes having a controlling valve incommunication with combined steam and vacuum pipes intermediate thetwo-way valve and the c vl inder, exhaust ports in communication withopposite sides of the cylinder a distance from the steam inlets equal tothe distance between the piston heads, outwardly swinging valves carriedby the exhaust, combined air and vacuum ports below the exhausts andtwoway valves controlling said vacuum and air inlet ports, wherebyeither the air or vacuum ports may be opened or closed, or both closed,and a vacuum pump connected to the several vacuum. ports and drivendirectly by the engine the pistons, ports and valves capable of being soset that the engine can run in either direction and in either event oneportion of the vacuum space between two heads is receiving steam, thespace immediately in advance thereof being acted upon by the vacuum, thespace ahead of this being furnished with air, and the other portion ofthe steam receiving chamber is being acted upon by the vacuum.

31. A rotary vacuum engine, comprising a cylinder divided into threecompartments of different widths, a shaft extending through thecylinder, pistons carried by the shaft within the compartments, pistonheads carried by the piston and arranged at different points on eachpiston, a steam supply for the first compartment, the exhaust of saidcompartment forming the steam supply for the second cylinder, andlikewise the third cylinder supplied by the exhaust of the second, arotary vacuum pump adjacent the cylinder, means for operating said pumpdriven directly by the engine, said pump divided into two equalcompartments, a pipe in communication with one compartment and connectedto the first and second compartments of the cylinder, and a pipeconnecting the third compartment of the cylinder with the othercompartment of the pump, and means for automatically controlling thevacuum.

32. A rotary vacuum engine, comprising a cylinder divided into threecompartments of different widths, pistons therein, a steam supply foreach compartment, an air intake for each compartment, an exhaust foreach compartment, a flap valve within the exhaust and opened outwardly,a rotary pump adjacent the cylinder and divided into twoequalcompartments, a pipe having branch pipes communicating with thefirst and second compartments of the cylinder and extending over thepump, within automatic pump valves, and having an open end, a pipeleading downwardly to the pump, an automatic check valve on each side ofthe pipe leading to the pump, a pipe connected to the third compartmentof the cylinder and extending over the second compartment of the pump, apipe leading downwardly and communicating with the pump, an automaticcheck valve on each side of the pipe, and a hand-cock connected to eachvacuum pipe adjacent the cylinder.

33. A vacuum engine, comprising a cylinder divided into severalcompartments, a shaft extending through the cylinder, a piston keyed tothe shaft within each comparts ment, four piston heads carried by eachpiston and arranged at equal distances apart, the heads of each pistonbeing arranged in line in respect to the piston of the adjoining piston,a housing extending across the cylinder and divided to correspond withthe compartment of the cylinder, a shaft extending through said housing,rotary abutments carried by the shaft and timed with the piston heads oftheir respective compart ments, each compartment having a steam supply,an air intake, an exhaust, and a vacuum communication therewith, and apump driven directly by the engine for creating a vacuum within eachcompartment, an automatic means for controlling the exhaust and vacuum.

34. A rotary engine, comprising a cylinder, a piston therein, a steaminlet onone side of the cylinder, an exhaust on the same side, and avacuum pump in direct commu nication with the cylinder adjacent theexhaust.

35. A rotary engine, comprising a cylinder, a piston therein, a steaminleton one side of the cylinder, an exhaust on the same side, and avacuum pump in direct communication with the cylinder adjacent theexhaust and driven by the engine.

36. A rotary engine, comprising cylinder, a piston therein, a steaminlet, an exhaust, and a vacuum pump in direct com munication with thecylinder independent of the steam inlet and exhaust.

ST. A. rotary engine, comprising a cylinder, a piston therein, a steaminlet, an exhaust, and a vacuum pump in direct communication with thecylinder independent of the steam inlet and exhaust and driven directlyby the engine.

38. A. rotary engine, comprisin a cylinder having steam inlet andexhaust ports, a piston therein, and a pump driven directly by theengine for exhausting the air in frontof the piston independent of saidports.

39. A rotary vacuum reversible engine, comprising a cylinder, a pistontherein, a vacuum pump, in direct communication with the cylind r, areversible circular abutment having legs timed with the piston andratchets for locking the engine shaft and abutment shaft againstrotation in either direction.

40. A rotary vacuum engine, comprising a cylinder, a rotary pistontherein, piston heads carried by the piston, a rotary abutment havinglegs equal in number to the piston heads, and operated by the heads, tworatchet disks carried by the shaft of the rotary abutment on the outsideof the cylinder and having their teeth arranged in opposite directions,a pawl engaging each ratchet dish, a combined steam inlet and vacuumpipe in communication with the cylinder on each side of the abutment, atwo-way valve controlling said steam and vacuum ports whereby eithersteam or vacuum may be admitted to the cylinder or both out off, airinlet pipes having a controlling valve in communication with combinedsteam and vacuum pipes intermediate its two-way valve and the cylinder,exhaust ports in communication with opposite sides of the cylinder adistance from the steam inlets equal to the distance between the pistonheads, outwardly-swinging valves carried by the exhaust, combined airand vacuum ports below the exhausts and two way valves controlling saidvacuum,and air inlet ports, whereby either the air or vacuum ports maybe opened or closed or both closed, and a vacuum pump connected to theseveral vacuum ports and driven directly by the engine, the pistons,ports and valves capable of being so set that the engine can run ineither direction and in either event one portion of the vacuum spacebetween two heads is receiving steam, the space im mediately in advancethereof being acted upon by the vacuum, the space ahead of this beingfurnished with air and the other portion of the steam receiving chamberis being acted upon by the vacuum.

41. A rotary vacuum-engine, comprising a cylinder, a rotary pistontherein, piston heads carried by the piston, a rotary abutment operatedby the heads, two ratchet disks carried by the shaft for the rotaryabutment on the outside of the cylinder and having their teeth arrangedin opposite directions, apawl engaging each ratchet disk, a combinedsteam inlet and vacuum pipe in communication with the cylinder on eachside of the abutment,a two-way valve controlling said steam and vacuumports, whereby either steam or vacuum may be admitted to the cylinder orboth cut ofl entirely, exhaust ports in communication with the, cylindera distance from the steam inlets equal to the distance between thepiston heads, and combined air and vacuum ports below the exhausts, andtwo valves control ling the air and vacuum ports whereby either the airor vacuum ports may be opened or closed, or both closed, and a vacuumpump connected to the several vacuum ports and driven directly by theengine.

In testimony whereof I afiix my signature in presence of two witnesses.

CHARLES COMSTOCK.

Witnesses JOHN L. FLETCHER, CHARLES R. VRIGHT, J r.

